The Sparkled Life

On facebook?

Me too!!!

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More info on the blog:

http://www.thesparkledlife.org/2013/04/on-facebook.html

I mostly reserve my facebook page for encouraging words, friend check-ins, photos, and thoughts on celebrity gossip. But a few days ago I came across a subject that struck me to the point that I found it worthy to post on facebook, though it did not fit into those catagories above.

Rather, it was, how shall we say, controversial?

What happened went something like this:

In a matter of a one second click, my facebook wall went from peace and love to world war three.

I thought that my MScard would apply for facebook posts as well but it didnt. It so didnt.

After a few hours of letting people debate and hate via comments, I decided to delete the post, though my opinion remained on the subject.

Where is the love in social media?

I know that many people find it easier to say things online than in person because, well, just listen to Brad Paisley’s song “Im so much cooler online”.

But I really think it comes down to “if you have nothing nice to say, then dont say anything at all”.

If you dont like that post, instead of saying anything negative or derogatory or hateful, just ignore it. Dont like it. Delete that person as a friend. Move on.

Why waste energy creating hate on social media?

So after that experience, I decided that I would go back to the facebook page of just peace and love.

As election time comes near, remember this: no one was moved by a hateful post on their wall.

Send either a message or give that person a call (if you dont have their number then why are you facebook friends with them?). People have dignity through their facebook pages. Their facebook page, through the over empowerment of social meda, has become a part of their identity.

Dont poop stain on it.

2. Love is a choice.

I believe every girl should read the book “He is just not into you”. Its not for the light of heart disclaimer.

Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs. Someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, every story we’re told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we’re so focused on finding our happy ending we don’t learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don’t, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn’t include a guy, maybe… it’s you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is… just… moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment, you never gave up hope.

This explains it all.

We as girls all want the happy ending story of love.

But I have recently been reminded that love is a choice. No relationship is going to be extremely easy. And there will be hard times. And with that, there will be good times.

What makes love love is choosing to love that person despite all the imperfections.

You fall into love. You choose to stay in love.

I said this is part one because I only had two thoughts on what I know about love at this time. (:

The bottom line:

You are no better than anyone else. Love each and every person the same. Because we all breath the same air, all have the same structure. We were all born the same and we will all eventually die.

So what matters is how you love the ones around you, online and offline. And its not just something you wake up doing.

Its something you choose to do.

Love, Eliz

the silent goodbye

a few days ago I mentioned how most of my posts are based around Starbucks.

Well, here we go again. (:

I have a habit of attending the same starbucks regularly, to the point where I become what one would call a “regular”. I would like to think of it as having lots of starbuck friends.

When I had my first episode of multiple sclerosis a few months back, my mom/dad/brother would drop me off for a few hours at the starbucks down the road. At the time I used a walker (sexy I know…it had pink tennis balls too) so it didnt take long for people to notice me. I made starbuck friends.

When I had my second episode, it was much more convenient to attend the starbucks with a better drive-through. The other day though I did stop by my old walker starbucks. They off course commented on my upgraded “legs”/arm crutches, only to then tilt their heads in shock a tad when I open my mouth.

But they treated me the same and wished me luck as I headed out the door.

My starbucks in DC was right across the street and, conveniently, on the way to work. (I must mention I lived less than a mile from work…yet some mornings, it could take me up to 10 minutes depending on traffic. #dcproblems). This was an unconventional starbucks; it was a starbucks location inside the Safeway.

There were three main people that worked there. Two in the morning and one in the evening. It didnt take long for us to start our starbucks friendship.

My mom especially appreciates these starbucks partners because during her visit, they asked if she was my sister. (:

I got a starbucks the morning of March 21st, the day I ended up in the hospital and was diagnosed with MS.

“Venti iced coffee, unsweetened, room for cream” was smiled as the doors opened in a Jedi fashion as I walked into the store. You cant help but feel like hollywood when this happens.

And then, I never returned.

I titled this post “the silent goodbye”. There are so many things in life that follow this route.

Ive had to say goodbye to a lot of things in the past 5 months. Most of them I cant fight because there is no use; it is what it is.

So I silently say goodbye.

Hope for the best.

And find another starbucks.

Moral of the story: you never know when you might be faced with a silent goodbye. Make sure to present each encounter as if it were the last.

This does not mean to cry and hug goodbye as if you’ll never see each other again. That would be awkward

It means put away your phone (facebook, twitter, instagram, texts can wait…Ive realized this) and just BE with that person. Smile at that person. Say have a good day and mean it. Just be nice.

I know it sounds utopian. And there will be days in which you will gosh darn want to hit everyone in your path.

I’ve been there.

But then a stranger will smile at you. And you’ll feel like the Grinch on Christmas: your heart will start to grow. You’ll realize: dont regret the silent goodbye.

#truth

Love, Eliz

social media and peace

Today I am extremely thankful for social media for the following reasons:

It connects me to all the lovely people that have been extremely supportive. As stated prior, this support is what is keeping me going. So thank you.
It allows me to express myself when my words are not available.
It gives me an opportunity to share my story so as to create awareness to MS and hopefully, possibly, contribute to finding a cure.
It provides me avenues to connect and be inspired by others who also have this disease and who are suffering.

Last night, though I should have been sleeping (dont lie, you get pulled into social media stumbling as well :D), I came across a young girl’s blog who also has MS.

A quote on her page struck and inspired me:

“I dont want this, any of it, but that doesnt change the fact that, in my heart, I know this is what my life is. And I’m at peace with that.”

First, you go girl.

Second, I would say this has been the theme of my day. Peace. I’m not sure what my life will be like in the next few months. But then again, who does at the age of 25.

I, we (Im incorporating you on this journey, hope you dont mind :D) have to remain peaceful in that I have the courage and strength to get through this. That peace to wake up in the morning and say “lets fight this”. The peace to know that there are going to be bad moments (like not being able to hold a pen) and good moments (being able to type, though slow, on a computer).

The peace that comes from having you, so many of “yous”, out there, praying, supporting, sending good vibes, encouraging positive thinking, sending me notes, learning and creating awareness about MS.

Peace.

I hope that peace comes in your life. Whatever struggles you are going through, whatever mishaps, burdens, crappy “i just hate this moment” experiences…I hope that it gets better. Feel free to send me an email about it. We can have a venting session. (: And dont underestimate the power of positive thinking either. (My bf will appreciate me adding that one in there. He is the biggest supporter of this power).

Lately I have been extremely blessed with love from dear friends. Two days ago I received a card from a bff in Argentina, a box from a bff who knew exactly what I needed, a surprise visit from a man who is truly one of my greatest witnesses in my life and a re-kindle visit from one of my dearest friends, who brought me lovely new nail polish colors. I receive emails daily from my grandma, visits daily from my family, love from volunteers here in the hospital, notes, emails, letters, cards…all of support and love.

Can I say it enough…THANK YOU!

This is hard. I may try to hide it under sparkles or smiles or pictures of puppies but to be perfectly honest, this has been very hard. Your words really do mean a lot.

Today I read an article with 50 suggestions on how to bring good karma and kindness to those around you. Youve been doing 1 of those suggestions to me: “Send love to someone who needs it”. Continue the love! If there is a person in your life that is suffering or just having a hard time, something as little as a text can brighten their day. It does mine.

Today was my day off of rehab so I enjoyed a great morning of drinking some Starbucks via coffee (another present from a dear friend…so loved!) in a bejeweled out coffee mug (thank you!!) reading a magazine that’s focus was on hope, encouragement and how to make this world a better place. I think someone knew exactly how to make my morning. (:

I also had a date with my plasma exchange boyfriend. We had a pretty good date, about an hour and half, mostly just listening to music. The nurses have problems with my veins so she had suggested that I drink lots of water prior. Which I did. Lets just say I ran into an old “I really need to go to the bathroom and mom and dad wont stop on this 10 hour car trip” experience. I am happy to report, no accident. We survived and I learned that I should start drinking water hours before the exchange rather than 30 minutes.

Tomorrow will be a full day of therapy. Each morning they provide a schedule of the day, which usually starts around 7ish. Damn you MS for making me a morning person!

When all is said and done, these blog posts are very therapeutic for me. I started this particular blog feeling slightly sad and burdened. Now, after reflecting on all that I have (family, friends, loved ones), all the support, all the humor, and well, the fact that I’m still alive, I end with a smile.

Thank you, as always! If we’re not friends on facebook, there is a link to the left. If we are, shoot me a message about your day.

Here we go steelers here we go!! (I told my mom today that if the steelers win the super bowl this year im going to take credit since I have you all supporting them indirectly through me. Sorry Raven fans. :D)

Love, Eliz